The United States will add Myanmar to its controversial travel ban. The US Department of Homeland Security announced that starting February 21, citizens from Myanmar (along with five other countries) will not be eligible for immigration visas, although tourism and business travel is still permitted.

The US believes immigrants from the newly-added countries pose a general security risk. According to the announcement, the new additions were chosen based on issues such as the extent to which they share travel information with foreign intelligence agencies and how they handle lost or stolen passports. The travel ban, first introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump three years ago, contains mostly Muslim-majority countries, however US ambassador Scot Marciel insisted the addition of Myanmar was not connected to Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims and “has zero to do with Rakhine.”

The ban will likely have little direct impact on Myanmar businesses, as business and tourist visas are still permitted, and even for those seeking permanent residence, US consular officers will be able to issue exemptions. Furthermore, if Trump loses this year’s US presidential election, the ban (emblematic of the Trump administration) will almost certainly be repealed. However, critics claim the ban is unnecessary and will cut off Myanmar people from family members living abroad. They also argue that the new restrictions will further distance Myanmar and the US politically at a time when Myanmar is deepening ties to its Asian neighbors, especially China.